Alexandra, New Zealand
| Alexandra | |
|---|---|
| Minor urban area | |
 Alexandra
|
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| Coordinates: 45°14′57″S 169°22′47″E / 45.24917°S 169.37972°ECoordinates: 45°14′57″S 169°22′47″E / 45.24917°S 169.37972°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Otago |
| Territorial authority | Central Otago District |
| Area | |
| • Total | 9.76 km2 (3.77 sq mi) |
| Population (June 2016) | |
| • Total | 5,300 |
| • Density | 540/km2 (1,400/sq mi) |
| Postcode | 9320 |
| Website | www |
Alexandra (Māori: Areketanara) is a town in the Central Otago district of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located on the banks of the Clutha River (at the confluence of the Manuherikia River), on State Highway 8, 188 kilometres (117 mi) by road from Dunedin and 33 kilometres (21 mi) south of Cromwell.
At the time of the 2013 census, the permanent population was 4,800, a decrease of 24 since 2006. 27.1 per cent of the population (higher than the national average) was aged over 65.
The town was founded during the Central Otago goldrush in the 1860s, and was named after Alexandra of Denmark by John Aitken Connell who surveyed the town. It was known to miners of the day by several names: the "Lower Township", the "Junction Township", and "Manuherikia". (The "Upper Township" was Dunstan, now Clyde.)
Many orchards were destroyed in the 1980s as a result of construction, 10 km upriver, of the Clyde High Dam, which is the country's third largest hydroelectric power station.
Alexandra is the service centre for a significant stone-fruit industry, which is celebrated by a blossom festival in the town each spring. Grape production is another major industry in the Central Otago Wine Region. Alexandra has the world's southernmost vineyard, Black Ridge.
The town is a popular holiday destination mainly due to the hot and sunny climate during summer.
Alexandra is perhaps best known for the Alexandra Blossom Festival, an annual event that began in 1957. The Festival celebrates the advent of Spring in the Central Otago District as evidenced by the blooming of the fruit trees.
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Wikipedia